Changes In Approach Lighting Made Many Enhanced Vision Sensors Ineffective

Universal Avionics (UA) announced at NBAA-BACE that its ClearVision™ Enhanced Flight Vision System (EFVS) mitigates recent FAA directives that replaced runway lighting with LED lights.

The FAA announced in March 2024 that due to the dwindling supply of incandescent lamps used in runway lighting systems, airports would be required to replace them with more energy-efficient LED lights. However, although LEDs increase energy efficiency, they render many of the infrared (IR)-based Enhanced Vision Systems unable to identify runways.

UA’s EVS-5000 multispectral camera in the ClearVision system is able to detect and identify the LED lights, ensuring that pilots are able to land safely in low-visibility conditions. The wearable head-up display for pilots enhances situational awareness by displaying clear, high-definition imaging of the aircraft’s external environment.

Dror Yahav, CEO of Universal Avionics, says: "Our EVS-5000 camera does not rely solely on thermal sensors to detect lighting on approach; it uses five sensors in addition to the thermal imager. This technology – which we started to develop 15 years ago – was designed to meet the most stringent requirements, including detecting LED lights and ensuring that our customers can continue to operate confidently without disruption. Our EVS-5000 is the only camera that received the maximum allowable credit of 50% visual advantage by the FAA on top of those unique LED support characteristics.”

FMI: www.universalavionics.com/